Horst Pivot Tool ( Santa Cruz Bullit V4, Vala)

***  Buy one, get one 30% off any mix of pullers and presses (applies to individual tools only, not kits) ***

Note that this tool only addresses Santa Cruz's horst pivot bearings (the pivot beside the dropout).  Our regular puller and press kits kits are still required for the other pivots.

In 2024 Santa Cruz started introducing a new 4-bar suspension platform, a departure from the traditional twin link VPP design.

While most of the pivots on the new 4-bar design use the same mix of 6900 and 6902 bearings that are the norm in their VPP designs, the horst pivot (the one next to the rear dropout) is a bit different.

This pivot uses a back-to-back pair of 6802 bearings with a small axle that sits between (and extends through) the two bearings.  Because this axle protrudings through and blocks access to the inside of the bearings, conventional bearing pullers and press drifts can't be used on this pivot.  

To address this problem, we've created a special version of our wind-out bearing puller.  This version has been developed specifically for Santa Cruz's new horst pivot axle.  Our tool can be used both to remove the old bearings and to press in the new ones.

The axle is marked 'G' in the image below:

Compatibility

We understand that the following model years use this horst pivot arrangement:

• Bullit V4 (2025 onwards)
• Vala V1 (2025 onwards)

Our regular puller and press kits kits are still required for the other pivots.

This tool is only for Santa Cruz bikes with this type of axle in the horst pivot.  If you're bike doesn't have this axle extending through the bearing then our normal Santa Cruz puller and press kits are all you need.

How To

This bearing puller tool is simple to use.  As well as the puller you will need a 13mm spanner and a 6mm hex/allen key. 

Three machined parts are included with the tool: a cup engrave '26mm', a drift engraved '10x24mm', and another smaller drift marked '10mm'.

The cup is used with the smaller drift as per the image below to remove the axle/bearing:

The tool can then be used to install the new bearings by swapping the 10mm drift for the larger one marked 10x24mm, as shown in the image below.  Again, you'll have to pop the axle into the first bearing before installing the bearing (without the axle in place the drift won't automatically centre on the bearing).  Then swap sides and repeat to install the second bearing.

If you have any questions please get in touch, info@bearingprotools.com, and we'll try to reply within one working day.

Note that each tool is specific to one bearing size. It is designed to match the internal and external diameters of the bearing and shouldn't be used on bearings of different size.

Our tools can be selected either by the bearing's dimensions or by the bearing's standard reference code.

Standard references take the form of a three to five digit number, such as 688, or 6902 for example.  These codes are often provided in the bike's user manuals, or moulded onto the bearing's seal. You might see something like 6902-2RS on the seal. The first digits are the standard reference.  The second part (2RS in this case) refers to the seal type and doesn't matter for tool selection.

While the letter & numbers after the baring ref usually refer to the type of seal, you should keep an eye out for the suffix 'E', for example 698-E.  This denotes that the inner race of the bearing is extended, which will affect puller and press selection. 

Alternatively, tools can be selected by their inside (ID) and outside (OD) diameters and width (W). 

Note that each tool is specific to one bearing size and can’t be used on bearings with different dimensions.

If you need any help then please feel free to email us!  We usually reply within 1 working day.